DATE: 3/12/2025
Consultants are to refer to details in the attachment regarding changes to the minimum vertical clearance measurements based on the Specifications for the National Bridge Inventory (SNBI) and updates to LIDAR sketches. Refer to Attachment 2025-1.0.pdf for details.
DATE: 1/04/2024
BI Note 2022-1.0 (dated 1/14/22) has been updated to clarify requirements for defect sketches which are included as attachments to Category A Reports. Refer to Attachment 2024-2.0.pdf for details.
DATE: 1/04/2024
Consultants are to use the procedures detailed in the attachment for hands-on inspection of bridges with superstructure or substructure elements exhibiting new or existing impact damage. Refer to Attachment 2024-1.0.pdf for details.
DATE: 01/28/2022
A new form has been added to NJTA Bridge and NJTA Major Bridge report types to enter select NBI and state codes for roadway/railroad clearances. Refer to Attachment 2022-2.0.pdf for details.
DATE: 05/07/2021
This directive has been published in an effort to promote consistency in recommending Category B/C concrete spall repairs in bridge inspection reports. Refer to Attachment 2021-2.0.pdf for repairable defect definitions and associated recommendations.
DATE: 01/13/2021
In order to promote uniformity, the Authority is moving toward classifying delaminated concrete based on the terminology presented in AASHTO’s Manual for Bridge Element Inspection, 2nd Edition (2019) (MBEI). Refer to Attachment 2021-1.0.pdf for specific definitions of the terminology. This terminology is to be used for all assignments with draft report submittals scheduled after January 1, 2021 including ongoing major bridge assignments.
DATE: 10/26/20
A new report type has been added to the choices when creating a new inspection report. This new type is for memorializing interim inspections or monitoring of defects. Refer to Attachment 2020-7.0.pdf.
DATE: 10/01/2020
This notification serves as guidance for coding the NBI Item 101 and includes clarification for consistent coding of this field. Refer to Attachment 2020-6.0.pdf .
DATE: 06/01/2020
An additional field (checkbox) has been added to the Category A report. The checkbox distinguishes when Category A defects, which have been submitted to engineering, require notification to an outside agency. Refer to Attachment 2020-5.0.pdf .
DATE: 06/01/2020
A new Category A report type has been added to the drop down choices to distinguish Category A reports dealing with utility defects from the remainder of the Category A reports. Refer to Attachment 2020-4.0.pdf .
DATE: 06/01/2020
This notification serves as guidance for coding the FATIGUE SENSITIVE DETAILS field on the general form under Superstructure. This notification includes standard language for consistent coding of this field. Refer to Attachment 2020-3.0.pdf .
DATE: 06/01/2020
A new form has been added to the NBIS bridge, bridge culvert, and major bridge report types. This form accommodates NJDOTs needs to verify metric compliance with regard to updating NBI data within two weeks of initial inspections and within 90 days of initial inspections or two weeks after the completion of the inspection per NBIS requirements. Refer to Attachment 2020-2.0.pdf .
DATE: 01/21/2020
The Authority is moving toward classifying concrete cracks based on the terminology presented in AASHTO’s Manual for Bridge Element Inspection, 2nd Edition (2019) (MBEI). Refer to Attachment 2020-1.0.pdf for specific definitions and associated defect recommendations.
DATE: 12/12/19
There have been several changes to the Category A Reports and their functionality. The new features include the ability to select photos which will be printed as part of the Category A report PDF, and the ability to select individual open or completed Category A reports to include in the inspection report. Refer to Attachment 2019-4.0.pdf.
DATE: 9/26/19
New forms have been created to report Load Factor Ratings (LFR) when the performance of LFR is required and approved by NJTA/HNTB in accordance with the Load Rating Manual, Section 4.1.4.
To add the new forms to an in-progress report:
DATE: 6/12/19
Consultants are to use the procedures detailed in the attachment for issuing Category A Reports as needed in accordance with the new Authority Deficiency Category Definitions. Refer to Attachment_2019-2.0.pdf.
DATE: 5/1/19
Consultants are to review existing New Jersey Turnpike Authority contract information and populate the Contract History form as needed. Refer to Attachment_2019-1.0.pdf.
DATE: 8/28/18
The guidance for coding select items on the SI&A and Element Inspection forms for structures with integral abutments, included in notification No. 2017-2.0, has been revised based on feedback from NJDOT. These changes will require corrections to the existing NBI and Element inspection quantities in InspectTech. Refer to Attachment 2018-3.0.pdf.
DATE: 8/6/18
The location(s) of the noted defects are to be included in the Type of Damage field. The use of standard abbreviations is acceptable, as well as the use of more generalized locations when there are too many to reasonably fit in the field. However, entries that are considered overly general (such as “fractures over traffic”, “potholes in wheelpath”, etc.) are not acceptable.
DATE: 8/6/18
The workflow for submitting Category A reports has been revised so that inspectors can choose to submit directly to Engineering upon direction from the liaison engineer. This workflow option is only enabled when the “Beyond Resources of Maintenance Department” checkbox is checked. Refer to Attachment 2018-2.2.pdf.
DATE: 8/6/18
Any damage noted to the approach guide rail attachments, rail systems, end terminals or guide rail protecting substructure units are to be reported using the new “Guide Rail” report type. Refer to Attachment 2018-2.1.pdf.
DATE: 8/6/18
Individual reports are to be created for each different defect type (underdeck fractures, sidewalk settlement, embankment erosion, etc.) with consideration for repair mobilization. This will allow for better tracking of the completed work. Similarly, when underdeck fractures are noted over different roadways, they are also to be submitted as separate reports. Category A reports should be submitted only after entire element has been inspected (e.g. fractures are found in the span over the NSO roadway looking from the slope; the report can be created but not submitted until the underdeck inspection has been completed for the NSO roadway span). This ensures that multiple reports are not submitted for similar defects at the same location.
DATE: 6/12/18
The Authority is looking for consistency in the naming convention used for their roadways along the Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike. All report submittals for current (2018) and future assignments should use the roadway designations (abbreviations) included in the NJTA Manual for Traffic Control in Work Zones (December 2016). Refer to Attachment 2018-1.0.pdf for examples.
DATE: 12/20/17
The Authority has initiated the process of revising definitions for critical findings. The first phase of the task which includes update to the Category A input form and output report is underway.
The following are changes as of date of this notice. Refer to Attachment 2017-5.0.pdf for detailed descriptions of the changes and coding direction.
DATE: 7/31/17
A new grouping has been added to the approach and deck forms for defects associated with Noise Barriers. These defects should not be coded in the bridge or approach rail sections. Refer to Attachment 2017-3.4.pdf.
DATE: 7/31/17
Revisions have been made to the Guide Rail section of the form. Refer to Attachment 2017-3.3.pdf.
DATE: 7/31/17
In some cases, section losses present throughout the structure may not warrant load rating updates. When load rating updates are not performed, there is no opportunity for assumptions or engineering judgment decisions to be documented within the load rating report. It is therefore being requested that all consultants include additional load rating notes in the LOAD RATING STATEMENT of the "Conclusions and Recommendations 1" section of the bridge inspection reports when it is determined that section losses need not be considered. The additional discussion should explain why load rating updates are not warranted (i.e., for steel members - minor web section loss with noncontrolling shear rating factors much higher than flexure; bottom flange loss near supports of simple span structures, in locations of low flexural demand, etc.). By including this information with the bridge inspection report, it will allow future consultants to clearly see the decisions made, and may help to save time during future inspections and assessment of section losses. Please note that the C&R section is new for 2017, thus it will not be available for any bridge inspection report prior to 2017.
DATE: 7/31/17
Several new fields have been added to the Waterway form including Countermeasures and two additional defects. Refer to Attachment 2017-3.1.pdf.
DATE: 7/31/17
An additional form has been added to the bridge culvert reports to cover defects not originally included in the Field Forms. Refer to Attachment 2017-3.0.pdf.
DATE: 6/29/17
Due to the limitations for text on the input forms and output reports it is highly recommended that you use the abbreviations listed in the attachment for your reporting. Refer to Attachment 2017-2.2.pdf.
DATE: 6/29/17
Statements regarding the results of the Stage I Scour Evaluation Program have been included in the Conclusions and Recommendations write up for structures crossing waterways where the reports are available. This information is not to be deleted or edited in your reports, however, based on field observations the values for 61 and 113 may be changed but it is necessary to include a statement regarding why this change is valid.
DATE: 2/24/17
With the release of InspectTech CE, InspectTech is now utilizing Bentley's Identity Management System (IMS) and all InspectTech users will be required to have a Bentley IMS account in order to access InspectTech CE. Refer to Attachment2017-1.2.pdf for instructions.
DATE: 2/24/17
The final report requirements for routine bridge inspection assignments have been changed since draft of your scope of services: No hard copy reports are to be submitted, only two properly labeled CD’s (one for HNTB and one for NJTA) containing all reports for bridges and signs, still following the file naming convention discussed in 2016 - 3.2. Final report and comment resolution files are to be sent through ftp as well, comment resolution files with a different file name so they are not mixed with the finals.
DATE: 10/26/16
Recent load rating reviews by various consultants have identified past errors in previous load ratings with respect to SIA Item 59 and the condition factor. Specifically, some of the previous load ratings have been found to not properly consider the correct condition factor which was identified during their bridge inspection (via SIA Item 59 coding). At first glance, review by current (2016) bridge inspection consultants may not reveal needed updates since there has not been a change to SIA Item 59. However, this does fall into the category of "Evidence of Inaccuracies in Previous Load Ratings", which is documented in the January 11, 2016 memo titled "Load Rating Updates of Existing Structures". Thus, please review the previous load ratings for any structure that has an SIA Item 59 coding less than 6, to ensure that it was properly incorporated into the load ratings. HNTB will provide lists to each of the bridge inspection consultants which include those bridges with SIA Item 59 coding less than 6.
DATE: 8/5/16
NBI State Code CK shall be coded with a blank.
DATE: 7/1/16
Bridge inspection report files shall be provided on DVD, flash drive or other acceptable media. Each of the reports shall be named (GSP or TPK)_BridgeInspectionReport_Structure Number.file extension. Examples include “GSP_BridgeInspectionReport_28.0S.pdf”, and “TPK_BridgeInspectionReport_W106.26AR.pdf”. All reports shall be placed together in one folder or sub-folder set up specifically for bridge inspection reports only.
DATE: 7/1/16
Consultants shall select a default asset detail photograph for all bridges and sign bridges assigned. See Attachment 2016-3.1.pdf for instructions.
DATE: 7/1/16
For latitude and longitude values in InspectTech, users shall enter State Codes M84 and M85 and convert those values to degree minute seconds for Federal Codes 16 and 17. This is due to the precision difference between the two notations and values will vary depending on which way you convert (DMS to DD versus DD to DMS).
Longitude values shall be negative for both M85 and 17. Due to former system requirements, however, some longitude values are (+) positive in InspectTech. If encountered, consultants shall add a negative sign to those longitude values.
DATE: 6/9/16
Changing SIA Items 58, 59, 60 and 62 to / from a "4" (Poor). Special attention shall be paid when considering upgrading the code of SI&A Items 58, 59, 60, 62, etc. to or from a "4" (Poor) that will change the status of a deficient or obsolete bridge. Any proposed revisions shall be specifically discussed with the NJTA Liaison Engineer and the BIOTPM (HNTB) prior to changing the value on the SIA form.
DATE: 6/9/16
Consultants shall review / code State Item FV – Route Milepost for each bridge to match the NJDOT’s accepted format ###.### (formerly text). Item FV was reformatted and corrected by IT Administrators via a bulk import. In certain cases, however, the values did not import and require manual coding. For reference, the previous FV is still on the input form as read only, adjacent to the existing FV field.
DATE: 4/15/2016
Photographs shall follow the order that is indicated on the BI Report Checklist.
DATE: 4/15/16
Section Loss sheets presented during the 2016 InspectTech Training session are available. PDF format is available through InspectTech (see Notification No. 2016 - 1.2). Excel format is available through this download HNTB_Section_Loss_Table.xls.
DATE: 6/9/16
Consultants shall complete a checklist for each inspection report. The Checklist input form and output report section are available in InspectTech. See Attachment2016_01.pdf for instructions on where to find the form and report section.
DATE: 1/11/2016
As indicated in Notification No. 14.1, the Authority’s oversight consultant is responsible to update SI&A fields 63 to 66. The bridge inspection consultant will be notified by the oversight consultant when the fields are updated so the bridge inspection report can be generated. In some cases, especially in cases where State Legal Load Ratings are below 1.0, additional review and/or analysis is required by the oversight consultant prior to updating the load rating fields. In order not to delay submittal of the report, the bridge inspection consultant may be directed to use previous load ratings.
DATE: 4/30/2015
Regarding pasting text into InspectTech:
Also, all announcements regarding the operation of InspectTech such as this one, will be summarized on IT as a PDF; from the Help tab, click on “Version Update Summary”.
DATE: 4/24/2015
A separate reminder: Starting in May, the http://njta.bridgeinspect.com URL will be no longer redirect to the new InspectTech URL that has been adopted. If you have not begun to do so already, please use https://njta-it.bentley.com to use InspectTech.
